Lessons Learned

Integrated Water Resource Management for the Uromiyeh Basin

Source: Zoltan Vekerdy, ITC

Flamingos and pelicans
Lake Uromiyeh (5,000 km2) is a large, shallow, hyper saline lake with a few islands and extensive fringing fresh to brackish marshes, located in the centre of a large closed drainage basin in the uplands of north-western Iran. The lake together with the surrounding marshes is designated as a National Park and listed as a wetland of international importance (Ramsar site).

The lake, being a part of a larger chain of smaller and bigger lakes in Central Asia, is of great importance as feeding and breeding area for many species of waterfowl. For example, in the past decennia estimates placed the total population of flamingos on Lake Uromiyeh at 100,000. Surrounding wetlands provide habitat for 500 pairs of pelicans, breeding on the islands in the lake.

Increasing water use
The rich water resources of the Uromiyeh Basin are used for irrigation purposes. The population around the lake has grown to 4 million inhabitants over the last decades. Due to this high population pressure, more and more river- and groundwater is being used for irrigation as well as for industrial and domestic purposes. This growing demand has dramatic consequences on the health of the wetland ecosystem. Groundwater extraction leads to lowering the groundwater table, at some places more then 20 meter below the original level, and consequently, to saltwater intrusion along the shores. This does not only affect agricultural productivity but also has a large impact on the wetlands. The decreasing freshwater inflow results in a higher salinity of the lake. This in turn leads to the disappearance of blue-green algae and Artemia (brine shrimp), the basic food of the flamingos and other water birds.
Over the last 5 years, the number of flamingos and pelicans dropped dramatically.

Photo: Zoltan Vekerdy, ITC

Sustainable Management
As part of the “Water for Food and Ecosystems” programme, the Iranian Ministry of Energy, together with the Dutch counterparts DLG (an agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature Management and Fisheries), ITC and Wetlands International have formulated a plan to improve the existing situation in the region of Lake Uromiyeh.
The plan aims at raising the capacity for integrated water management in the basin, so as helping to resolve the conflict between water allocation for food and for ecosystems.
A comprehensive water balance and hydrological model will be developed. This model will enable the relevant authorities to estimate the impact of river water use and extraction on the ecosystem health. It will also provide measures to minimise negative effects exploitation might have. The programme will implement field projects to increase awareness and raise farmer’s participation in a more efficient use of irrigation water. Savings in water will be used to restore wetlands. Results of a flora and fauna survey, workshops, seminars and leaflets will be used to raise awareness of the users of the water resources and for the value of the existing ecosystem in general.

Photo: Zoltan Vekerdy, ITC

The final goal is to create an understanding among the stakeholders that water resources have to be managed for the benefits of all 'users', including humans and the ecosystem; failure in supplying water in sufficient quantity and quality for one side would result in the collapse of the other side too.

For further information, please, contact:
Mr. Jan Smit, Rural Areas Agency (DLG)
PO Box 30027, 9700 RM Groningen,
The Netherlands
+31 (0)50 3178537
+31 (0)50 3178585
J.M.L.Smit@dlg.agro.nl
www.minlnv.nl/dlg